Columbia Analytical Pursues DoD ELAP Approval

Kelso, WA, August 21, 2009 --(PR.com)-- Columbia Analytical’s Kelso laboratory is the first lab in the nation to have its assessment results submitted to the Department of Defense (DoD) Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (ELAP). Laboratories which seek to perform new testing projects for DoD environmental restoration programs need the DoD ELAP accreditation by October 1, 2009, according to a memorandum released by the Assistant Deputy Under Secretary of Defense.

“Our laboratories are well-versed in DoD QSM requirements and have been providing testing services for the DoD for many years,” said Lee Wolf, Quality Assurance Director for Columbia Analytical. ”Since NELAP standards were already established as the baseline for our quality systems, implementation of the QSM and compliance with the new DoD ELAP will not pose any significant challenges to current systems.”

DoD ELAP is a long-awaited program which standardizes the laboratory testing requirements of the US Navy, US Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE), and the Air Force Center for Engineering and the Environment (AFCEE). The program elevates the standard for laboratory operations and quality systems implementation. The foundation for the DoD ELAP is the DoD Quality Systems Manual (QSM) Version 4.1, which is based on NELAP and ISO standards for testing laboratories.

According to the memorandum, laboratories that currently have DoD component (Army, Navy, or Air Force) approvals in place will be subject to DoD ELAP requirements when those approvals expire or when scope changes are necessary. Laboratories which seek to perform testing for DoD environmental restoration programs for the first time or who hold an expired DoD approval need to be accredited in accordance with the DoD ELAP before they can provide services.

Columbia Analytical Services, Inc. is an employee-owned, full-service environmental analytical laboratory testing network established in 1986 and headquartered in Kelso, Washington. Their expertise encompasses air, water, dioxin, biological, pharmaceutical, solid and hazardous waste analyses.
For questions on the implementation and requirements of the DoD QSM contact Columbia Analytical at 360-577-7222 or visit their website at www.caslab.com.

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